Mingione joins the likes of Ted Williams (2002), Ron Polk (2003) Leo Mazzone (2006) and even current MSU head coach John Cohen (2008).

Photo Courtesy of hailstate.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Joining the likes of Ted Williams (2002), Ron Polk (2003) Leo Mazzone (2006) and even current MSU head coach John Cohen (2008), Mississippi State assistant coach Nick Mingione was inducted into the “Be The Best You Are” Baseball Clinic Speaker Hall of Fame. Mingione received the honor this past weekend after speaking for a third year at the 41st-annual clinic in Cherry Hill, N.J.

“It is an absolute honor to have my name even mentioned with those individuals,” Mingione said. “I have been around a lot of great coaches and great speakers, and that is who I have learned from.”

While there, the Tarrytown, N.Y., native spent time sharing ideas with such baseball minds as New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long (2010 inductee), Yankees Director of Pitching Development Gil Patterson and former Bulldog skipper Pat McMahon (2003 inductee).

“It was very educational to go back and forth with Kevin Long on the philosophy of hitting and find out some of his most productive drills,” Mingione explained. “Hanging out with all the Major League, college and high school coaches continue to help our staff maximize the talent of our ballclub in Starkville."

The clinic, which has been going on for more than four decades, includes “Ultimate Rap Sessions” with multiple-speakers going at one time for 25 minutes on a variety of topics. Mingione has done over 24 different sessions in a two-day stretch.

“The great coaches I have been around in my career are a big reason why I am even able to be in this position.”

MSU holds its first public team practice of the year this Saturday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field. State’s 2014 lid-lifter is Friday, Feb. 14, 2013, as the No. 2 Bulldogs begin their 124th season with a 4 p.m. Opening Day contest against Hofstra. For more information on the program, follow the team on social media by searching for “HailStateBB” on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. All-Access coverage of the program can also be found on FanCred.